INSIDE THE PATRIOTS: Stallworth gets to work with Brady

Dan Pires

Tuesday

Aug 7, 2007 at 12:05 AMAug 7, 2007 at 12:12 AM

FOXBORO — There was a football version of a side session Monday morning. With the rest of the team doing their thing inside Gillette Stadium, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady decided that it was time for some quality time with one of his newest toys.

FOXBORO — There was a football version of a side session Monday morning.

With the rest of the team doing their thing inside Gillette Stadium, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady decided that it was time for some quality time with one of his newest toys.

Brady kindly asked wide receiver Donte Stallworth to step to the side so they could get into sync.

Stallworth had been on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) since July 27, and had missed more than a week of practices before being activated Monday morning.

"Tom's pretty much the director. If Tom wants to do something, you don't ask questions," Stallworth said. "You just go out and do it. It's something that he wanted to do and work on. We're all working on some stuff out here. It's something that if he calls you over, you go — no questions. "¦ I'm just an actor. I'm just here doing my part. That's all I'm trying to do."

The two primarily worked on corner fade patterns.

"Just trying to do as much as we can," said Stallworth, who missed 13 practice sessions, said about the one-on-one with Brady. "We've all been meeting together. Everyone's been meeting together. Just for me to get out here and put it together, and not just in the classroom, that's been something that's really helped me out a lot. It's something for me to try and do everyday and get myself better."

Stallworth was drafted 13th overall in the 2002 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles nearly a year ago and signed as unrestricted free agent with the Patriots on March 13. Stallworth has 233 career catches for 3,516 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Like Brady, Stallworth is a native of California. Even though they've never played together until this season, the two have known each other for several years. Stallworth, however, was particularly struck by Brady's intensity.

"I always knew that he was a competitor, but just his drive to do the best that he can. That's something that you want from your leader and that's something he definitely is with this team," said Stallworth. "He's been pretty much all-business as far as on the field. You can see that everyday when he steps on the field. That's just the kind of guy that he is."

The agent for cornerback Asante Samuel declined to describe the tenor of talks between the two sides. He also added that they've effectively imposed an information embargo.

Jay Bianco, Samuel's co-agent, said there's nothing to report and will not be saying anything until the defacto holdout by Samuel's resolved.

Samuel, the Patriots franchise player, has a one-year offer on the table for $7.79 million. He's threatened to sit out until Week 10 of the regular season to prove his point.

Apparently the injury to wide receiver Randy Moss' left leg is enough to be a concern. Moss, who was injured trying to haul in a long bomb from Brady on Wednesday, missed both practices Monday. Moss also missed Thursday's double-session practices but was there for Friday and Saturday's walk-throughs. Head coach Bill Belichick reported that Moss is "day-to-day." "¦ Tight end Ben Watson totally dismissed the popular fan notion that 2007 will be his breakout season thanks in large part to upgrades at the receiver position and Moss in particular. "It's yet to be seen and all of us have our own jobs to do," Watson said. "That doesn't change no matter who we have. We're all being held to a certain level of accountability." As for the addition of Moss, Watson said that it can only be considered as a good thing. "Everybody's excited. We've all been fans of Randy watching and now we get to play with him," said Watson. "¦ Stallworth was asked if he's faster than Moss. "Let's see. Randy's about 45. I'm only 26," Stallworth joked. "He's still got it. He's still got it." Moss turned 30 in February. "¦ The team announced that running back Quadtrine Hill was given his release. "¦ The team's practiced in front of 16,247 at their season ticket holder's only session Monday night inside of the stadium. ... Guard/Center Bill Yates, who missed much of last season, suffered an injury during 11-on-9 drills.

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